Stellan Skarsgard

From Philosopedia

Stellan Skarsgard (13 June 1951 - )

Stellan Skarsgård, who was born in Gothenburg, is one of the best known actors in Sweden.

In an interview in the evening newspaper Expressen (14 December 2008), he spoke of his criticism of religion and his atheism. "The Bible and the Koran must not rule the school," he asserted. He lamented the fact that extreme sects can start schools in Sweden today, which he sees as child abuse. "If we have freedom of religion, then we must also give children the freedom to choose," he maintained.

The Bible and the Koran are cruel, full of threats, and because of this religion is a problem for any democracy. In his opinion, Islam will always be difficult to unite with democracy, because Islam mixes religion with politics.

An article (Sidan 4: Debatt, 15 December 2008) is based on one of a series of interviews made by Christer Sturmark, chairman of the Swedish Humanist Association. The interviews have been collected in a book, Personal - talks with freethinkers. Some are sent weekly on TV8 as "Sturmark meets or "Godless TV.

Skarsgård is one of several interviewed by Sturmark: Eva Dahlgren, music artist and "leading lesbian"; astronaut Christer Fuglesang; and ABBA singer Björn Ulvaeus. Sturmark also has met and interviewed Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Michel Onfray.

Skarsgård is not alone in his views. Ulvaeus says he wants to defend a secular society, which "many people have fought and died for" - now that religion is coming back - and he tells Sturmark that it was the terror attacks of September 11 that "woke him up".

With My Skarsgård (27 April 1975), the Swedish actor has five sons: Alexander (15 Aug 1976); Gustaf (1980); Sam (1982); Bill (9 Aug 1990), Valter (1995); and one daughter, Eija (1992).

He has been in a number of movies, including the following:

Mamma Mia! (2008)

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007)

Goya's Ghosts (2006)

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)

Kill Your Darlings (2006)

Beowulf & Grendel (2005)

Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist (2005)

Exorcist: The Beginning (2004)

King Arthur (2004)

Dogville (2003)

Helen of Troy (2003)

City of Ghosts (2002)

The House on Turk Street (2002)

The Glass House (2001)

Taking Sides (2001)

Aberdeen (2000)

Harlan County War (2000)

Dancer in the Dark (2000)

Timecode (2000)

Signs & Wonders (2000)

Passion of Mind (2000)

Kiss Kiss (Bang Bang) (2000)

Deep Blue Sea (1999)

Ronin (1998)

Savior (1998)

Good Will Hunting (1997)

Amistad (1997)

My Son the Fanatic (1997)

Insomnia (1997)

Breaking the Waves (1996)

Wind (1992)

The Ox (1991)

The Hunt for Red October (1990)

The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988)

Noon Wine (1985)